Electrolytic amalgamator with adjustable electrodes



une 8, i948. M, J, BARKER i 2,442,753

ELECTROLYTIC AMALGAMATOR WITH ADJUSTABLE ELECTRODES Filed Nov. 27, 1945Mii/VW MMM@ Patented .une 8, 1.7948

oFFlcE ELECTROLYTIC AMALGAMATOR WITH ADJUSTABLE ELECTRODES Martin J.Barker, San Francisco, Calif.

Application November 27, 1945, Serial No. 631,145

3 Claims. 1

The hereinafter described invention relates to an apparatus for therecovery of ne and/or oxidized gold from ores, and the object of theinvention is essentially to recover those values which at present may belost by being carried away with the tailings'.

The invention resides in a novel electrical sluice box utilizing mercuryas an amalgamating agent, means being provided for applying anelectrical current between electrodes submerged in the water filledsluice box and the mercury, for the purpose of cleaning and brighteningthe mercury and also for cleaning and brightening the gold, and for thefurther purpose of making the mercury receptive to the gold particles,thus assuring a more positive amalgamation, especially with respect tothe ner particles of gold which are dilcult to extract by methods knownby me to be presently in use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple, easily constructedrugged device for accomplishing the purposes set forth above, andespecially to provide a device of the character set forth in which theflow of electricity between` electrode and mercury pool may be readilycontrolled, to assure most eicient operation of the device.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects andadvantages as may subsequently appear, the invention is carried intoeiect as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of an embodiment of the invention,partly in section; and

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure l.

Referring now specically to the drawings, wherein like numerals ofreference apply to the same parts in both views, Ia and Ib represent thewooden side walls of a sluice, which are spaced apart and held rigidlyby a plurality of spacer rods 2 locked to each side wall by means oflock nuts 3, and located adjacent the upper edges of the walls Ia, Ib.An additional plurality of bolts 4 extending from wall to wall adjacentthe lower edges of the walls Ia, Ib and under the copper bottom plate 5,retain the walls securely against the edges of the copper bottom 5,which is formed in a succession of gently falling slopes 6 and sharprises 1.

The combination of the gently falling slopes 6 and the sharp rises 'Iform a succession of receptacles or pools 8 in which is contained themercury, which is utilized in the invention for amalgamating with goldparticles, thereby to extract the gold. The sharp rises also formretarding means vfor heavy particles, such as of gold.

Secured on rods 2 adjacent to the wall Ib are Alocated a series of bellcrank levers each having an arm 9 extending upwardly and an arm I0extending at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontaldownwardly toward the bottom of the sluice, one bell crank being locatedover each mercury pool 8. While two pools 8 and two bell crank leversy9, I0 are illustrated in the drawings, itis to be understood that thenumber of such pools utilized in the practice of the invention is not ofthe essence of the invention but may be more or less than two, thenumber two having been selected for purposes of illustration only.

Mounted onv each rod 2, at positions adjacent to wall Ia are locatedarms II, which extend in parallel direction to arms I0 and are ofsimilar length.V Carried betweenV rocker arms I0 of the bell cranklevers 9, I0 and the arms II adjacent the lowermost points thereof arecylindrical electrodes I2, preferably of carbon, suitably secured to thearms Ill and II.

An extension I3 of one crank arm 9 forms a convenient handle foractuating the series of bell cranks, which are interconnected by anactuating member or draw bar I4, secured to the crank arms 9 by means ofpin rivets I5.

Since the electrodes I2 are immersed in the fluid which is passing downthe sluice, they are subjected to forces which will prevent maintenanceof the adjusted position of the electrodes, unless a suitable lock isprovided. To provide for such contingency there is provided at aconvenient location between a pair of bell cranks 9, I0, a lock meanscomprising a bracket I6 suitably secured to a side I of the sluice box,and extending upwardly beyond the highest possible point to whichactuating or draw bar I4 may rise in the adjustment of the device.

A cover clamp Il is secured to the bracket by means of a pivot bolt I8extending through both clamp I1 and bracket I6, and located adjacent tothe top of wall I. The clamp I 1 extends to a point adjacent the top ofthe bracket where it is releasably secured to the bracket by means of awing nut and clamp screw I9. The wing nut may be loosened when it isdesired to adjust the position of the electrodes I2, to permit actuationof the draw bar I4, and may be readily locked after the adjustment hasbeen made.

A source of direct current voltage 20 is applied between each carbonelectrode I2 and the pools of mercury 8, by making -a wire connection 2lbottom i` whereby voltage is conveyed.. to.r al1, the

inereiirif rooie' eonnerbeine anoeroelienieonf ductor, as is Well known.

The application of electricity between elec, A

trodes I2 and mercury pools 8 results in acleanfing and brightening ofthe surfaces Qgtlinierf' cury in the pools, and also acts to clean andbrighten particles of gold passing, thrgugli the sluice box and over themercury, assuring a more positive action ofamalgamation-especiallytoyvardl the ner particles of gold.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of, inyinveniiondo notliinii niveeli to the exact details of-construction set forth, ineinvention. embriones. enenenonee. inodiiiootiene and equivalente.I oli..the. parte ariel. their. for.- inoiion es comev wiiiiintlieiior'vieworthe. an;

pendedclaims.

What 1 claim 1- In en omelgonioior., eoninrieing e. Siiiieewny havingwooden Sides., 'ei nieiellio bettoininomber. secured betweensaidWoodensides, anseries. o f tie rods for spaoinaseio.woononeioesannali-noi.

compartments f ornled"A said, metallic`A bottom member ei quantityof..Inereiirrineeeheoinnnrtf ment, a plurality e?eylindieallonrbeneleetrodosono beinev located. onore. eeen.rcompartment. e.

plurality of rocker arms secured to said tie rods,"

means mounting Seid eleo'orodee. on. solo.. rooker enne. ineens for.einiiiltnneoiielr, riot.rioting.l said.- nlrn'elity of rooker. orme.11.0...ediiiel.eeideieetroiies with respect to. saido.oinnfei'-iiiiient.SiV and ineens.; for applying voltage between .each.Oisaid` plurale.

ity of electrodes and said metallic bottom member.

2. In an amalgamator having a sluiceway comprised of a metallic bottommember divided into receptacles each having a gently falling slope and asharp rise, and an amalgamating agent in each receptacle, thecombination of electrodes superimposed above said receptacles, pivotedarms mounting. Seid.' eleeti'edee.` ai. a. uniform.- distance eheyefeheeninlganintinaaaent in .Snidireoeptacla linkage interconnecting saidpivotal arms, and amoperating handle connected to one of said pivotedarms.

3 L ,I nlar` ilamalgamator having a sluiceway comprised ofJ ay metallicbottom member divided into appluralityor. receptacles each having agently fallingslope anda sharp rise, and an amalgamatingi'agentineachreceptacle, the combination of electrodesfsuperimposed above saidreceptacles, pivoted arms mounting each electrode at a uniformieionee.nboye.. the: aineilganiotins. osent in Seioireeeniaele. nllinls.intereonneotina sentirli'.- eied'erine; n.1oe1sng-devioe cooperatingwith said. link. .f Qr heldineine'eleetrodeefnta predetermined; dietanoeabove the4 amolganiatins. agent 4 in.. the.

respective receptacles, andan.(ip g'erating.,handlel eonneeted to. one0f soidrivotedarniso..

BABKEEL REFERENCES errno- Tlie-folloiving. references are.- of: record;the. le 0f.. @hief patenti UNITED STATES r' PATENTS

